C-Forum

Just curious how people feel about paddling on their weak side ie, I padlle on my right so paddling on my left would be my weak side.
I usually, when actually paddling through rapids always paddle on my strong, then in the flat paddle on weak side a bit. I know I should try to do more with my weak side. Just wondering how many of us feel comfortable on both sides

I tried to develop my weak side for a while, and found it not to be worth the effort. I'd rather have one really good side than two so-so ones. If paddling strokes on my left is required, I just use offside (crossbow) strokes, I feel way more comfortable doing so than paddling on my left.
In flat water it's a different story, when trippinng I do switch sides if one is tired, but in WW, no way. I can paddle lefty in a tandem, but I do kinda suck at it.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Either Martin or I misunderstand this one (or I just misunderstood Martin...)

Are you talking crosside or switching from righty to lefty B? I though you were talking cross side.

Yes, my post was confusing. What I meant to say is that I'd rather go to my offide on a crossbow stroke than switch sides entirely.

martin a.k.a. the great gonzo!

Coming from a tripping background, I'm OK on either side. Left is my strong side for ww, but I don't mind running some stuff on my right.

If I get C-1ing more, my right will improve, because I can only roll on my right, so I stick to my bad side when paddling C-1, which is Ok, because for now I'm limited to farting around on really easy water.

PY.

Aw, Martin. Your post was not confusing. People just have to read it like they are a multi-international Canadian! I agree about maintaining a dominant grip through whitewater and making good, strong cross-strokes. Otherwise, you're stuck paddling on one side and spending time bracing defensively instead of paddling offensively. I learned that point early on when I took on the Upper Yough. Defensive bracing made it a lot tougher navigating through the rapids. When I learned to trust my off-side strokes, going through the rapids got easier, though my comfort level on the Upper Yough never got much better.

You're a much better cboater when you develop good off-side techniques (right, Bill Hay, Alden, Joel?). I do recall hearing/reading about Jon Lugbill and Davey Hearn saying that offside paddling was not necessary in a cboat, that you could race onside and do just as well. Fact or fiction?

KNeal

I thought CBC was asking about cross strokes. I can't paddle lefty in an eddy, much less in whitewater. Don't think I can change my vote though.

FWIF-paddling on my offside means taking cross-strokes and not switching hands.

KNeal

I was meaning NOT cross strokes, actually switching hands and paddling on the other side.
B

Ditto to Martins post. I can only paddle on my weak side decently when I'm tandem, then it's only marginally acceptable. Sorta like switching hands for handwriting or eating with a fork and knife; its messy.

I don't have a weak side.

On the other hand, I don't have a strong side either.

Bob P wrote:I don't have a weak side.

On the other hand, I don't have a strong side either.

Are you amphibious?

As a result of starting out tripping in open canoes I am still comfortable switching sides in open canoe - certainly in up to Class II, possibly III. In decked canoes, my tolerance for switching sides is much more limited. I have always paddled left in decked canoes and don't feel comfortable on the right, primarily because I just don't have any where near the same degree of edge control and I find that it is much more critical in decked canoe.

John

in an open boat I can paddle up to class II on my left side, in decked boats I stay with my strong side all the time. I think you are right John, its the edges

Aric

I'm a righty by nature...however thru past-history(as others) on flatwater...enhancing my/our offside stroke (ie going Lefty via switching hands with paddle)...my OC-1 crossover/offside stroke(as a Lefty) is clearly more powerful. True...I am taking it easy..as I'm still rehabbing my right wrist from sitting on it 2 winters ago...(Don't have a thick, muscular wrist...so it's taking time.. ..strength is coming along good, but way too slow for the brain!!..ARGGGHH).